Bachdenkmal in KöthenSpiegelsaal im Köthener SchloßBachausstellung im Köthener Schloß

Bach Memorial Koethen

Historisches Museum und Bach-Gedenkstätte
Schlossplatz 4
06354 Köthen

Phone +49.3496.212546
Fax: +49.3496.214068

Web: www.kulturstaetten-koethen.de

Opening hours

Tuesday to Friday:
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and Ascension

 

Since 1997 the Historical Museum with the Bach Memorial is located in  the Koethen Castle.  The exhibition was established in this historical location in appreciation of the activity of Johann Sebastian Bach as the court music director of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Koethen in the years 1717 to 1723. It is housed on the first floor of the Ludwig-Bau, in the former living rooms of the princesses and includes four subject areas:

  1. the potentate gallery
  2. the  princely residence of Koethen at the time of Bach and of the Bach family in Koethen
  3. the musical work of Bach during his time in Koethen
  4. Prince Leopold and the Muses.

An audio guide in German and English as well as an illustrated catalog facilitate the tour for the visitor.

The “Hall of Mirrors” opens up to the visitor via the Bach Memorial. The magnificent room in the late Classical dècor provides the setting for the Koethen Bach Festival, pianist and viola competitions, the “Koethen Autumn,” chamber concerts, and other festive events. It also forms a part of the tour through the castle.

The Circle of Friends and Sponsors of the Bach Memorial in the Koethen/Anhalt Castle e.V. (Registered Association), founded in 1996, supports the museum development in the castle and organizes symposia, courses, lectures, and  concerts.

Germany possesses musical traditions and legacies of extraordinary value: Handel, Schuetz and Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Wagner - to mention only a few names - are composers who are known and treasured throughout the world. Their work has played a significant role in shaping a unique musical landscape.

Numerous orchestras, choruses, ensembles, renowned music festivals and series, music houses with museums, public archives and libraries, but also private collections preserve their musical heritage.

It is necessary to revitalize this inestimable fund again and again and to develop it for the present. At the same time, an important role befits the houses combined in the consortium of music museums of Germany. In them we encounter the work of the musicians and composers who have extraordinarily enriched the cultural nation of Germany. However, beyond the individual portrait, beyond the procurement of individual oeuvres, the music museums also contribute overall to the maintenance of musical tradition. The present brochure underscores this aspect of the synoptic presentation and invites the reader on a journey into the musical history of Germany. I hope this tour guide will be actively used and receive a large response.

Bernd Neumann, Member of the Lower House of the German Parliament
Minister of State with the Federal Chancellor
Commissioner of the Federal Government for Culture and Media

Quoted from: Foreword to the brochure "Music Museums in Germany", 2007.